It's going to be in the ride. For months I had my sights set on the Scultura 904. Ended up really disliking the ride. It felt really dry. I saved $500 by opting for an Alu Cube Streamer kitted with a hybrid layout of Ultegra and 105.

It still burns in the flats. I can't comment on the DeRosa, but the Cube's I road took a !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! on the Merida's in terms of ride feel.Regardless, make sure it fits. Make sure it rides well.

Don't look back. Don't rush on a sale either. I personally would never buy a bike without riding it.

I wouldn't discount entry level wheels, they become be good training wheels. Wheels supplied OEM on bikes are generally at a much lower level than the bike package itself. While it is a cost-cutting measure, manufacturers figure that at certain price points, owners will already have a nice set of wheels that they'll put on the bike. Why increase the price a little and spec some Fulcrum Racing 5s when neither of them are really race-day/special wheels?

Likewise, if the Manufacturers spec'ed some nice wheels at a much higher cost, owners might either dislike the brand/wheel or have their own. The price is increased, making the product less attractive and the buyers then have the added hassle of selling these wheels, and will often loose money on them. If the buyer does not have nice wheels, the money they save on the bike can be invested into nice wheels of their choice. Speccing bikes with cheap wheels leaves the buyer alot of freedom with what he wants to do with the wheels.

i understand what you're saying, but for me at least, i already have a bike with wheels which i could use for training (or just keep using the bike for training). i'm looking to upgrade across the board, so i want some nice wheels - they're usually cheaper when spec'd with the bike, as the manufacturers buy them in bulk at a heavy discount. horses for courses, i suppose though.

Haven't ridden any of these exact bikes but very similar, i.e. the 904, a lightening and previous year R838 and 848.

All seem good but I'm not an expert in carbon frames and how they should feel, or how much flex I should be aiming for.

A Giant TCR maybe should be an option too, but who knows what their wheels are like, Giant PS1s I think.

Too many choices and none that stand out, Fulcrum 7s are probably a good solid training wheel but look like that too. I could use my shimano 500s for that. Would rather get some nicer wheels with the new bike.

So I'm left undecided... dammit. Actually just started looking at second hand... might find something there!

You're not going to find a new bike with racing wheels, unless you really go up $$$ and even then most of the offerings are pretty standard. As has been mentioned most manufacturers look here to save you some coin so you can put on the nice wheels that "YOU" like. One major exception would be some up the upper level Boardman's and possibly even Giant with their new 50mm Carbon offerings but I'm not sure if any of their offerings are equipped with them. In the price bracket you are looking at I would be going for a nice frame, and then components over wheels.

The second hand market would likely give you everything you want if you are prepared to do your homework, take on something that may 'need' some TLC and work or replacement of parts such as chain and cassette. There are regularly bike equipped with Dura Ace, Red, Ultergra, Force and nice racing wheels that slot into your budget. It would certainly open up many more options for you.

I think the industry has recognized that the majority of buyers looking at the 2.5k + range aren't your average road bike rider, assuming they might already own a pair of wheels especially if they're look at that price point. In saying so, it's your choice to best capitalize on what components you feel best suite.

Does investment in wheels in a bike package suggest the rest of the bike is not upto spec? Not necessarily.

Shpox wrote:I think the industry has recognized that the majority of buyers looking at the 2.5k + range aren't your average road bike rider, assuming they might already own a pair of wheels especially if they're look at that price point.

i'm unsure i agree. i suspect most buyers in that category are cashed up corporate weekend warriors.

tripstobaltimore wrote:not sure how de rosa has a better reputation than merida.....

could you please expand on that statement?

Merida may not have the prestige/history of De Rosa, but they are highly regarded in the bike industry as carbon fibre manufacturers. In fact I believe they are the biggest manufacturer of carbon fibre bikes in the world? (Perhaps have been surpassed by giant....). They probably make De Rosa's carbon frames anyway .